Zimmerman's account of fatal encounter with Trayvon Martin made public

Trayvon Martin’s last words were, “you got me,” George Zimmerman told police in a written statement.

Zimmerman was charged with second-degree murder in the unarmed teen’s killing. His attorney, Mark O’Mara, on Thursday posted a series of audios, videos and a written statement Zimmerman gave to police after the Feb. 26 killing.

O’Mara had initially sought to keep the information sealed from the public, but a judge ruled against the lawyers in the case. Prosecutors also wanted the information sealed, because confessions are not considered public record. But because Zimmerman was not “confessing” to a crime, the judge ruled the information had to be released.

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The information also includes a written statement by Zimmerman, where he explained to police that he saw Trayvon on a rainy night and was suspicious because of recent burglaries. Zimmerman’s wife was afraid because of rising crime, he said.

Zimmerman said he first saw Trayvon when the teen circled the neighborhood watch volunteer’s vehicle. Then, “the suspect emerged from the darkness,” Zimmerman wrote.

He said Trayvon asked him if he had a problem and then punched him in the face. Zimmerman told police the teen slammed his head on the concrete, put his hand over his mouth to silence his cries for help and then reached for Zimmerman’s gun.

“My head felt like it was going to explode,” Zimmerman wrote.

He said the teen told him, “You’re gonna die tonight mother f----,” he said. “In fear for my life as he has assured me he was going to kill me,” Zimmerman wrote, he fired one shot into the teen’s torso.

Trayvon said “you got me,” and fell back.

This article will be updated as more of the material is reviewed. To read those updates, go to www.miamiherald.com.

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